Louisiana Department

of Natural Resources Newsletter

Winter 2016 Volume 1, Issue 3 Louisiana Department

of Natural Resources

dnr.la.gov

The first offshore wind farm, dubbed ―Steel on the Water‖ and located in the nation‘s smallest state, is

set to deliver power in January 2017. To find it on the map, you need only ask DNR Technology

Assessment Director Paul Miller, who visited the site in Providence, Rhode Island in September while

attending the NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials) annual conference.

He said that while the offshore wind project will eventually serve multiple East Coast markets,

including New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey – the project has strong Louisiana

connections.

Gulf Island Fabrication of Houma, La. constructed the foundation and the installation work was

performed by Louisiana work crews. The upside and splendor of the project is that the Block Island

Wind Farm is expected to produce more than 125,000 megawatts of electricity annually, which is

enough energy to supply 17,000 homes per year.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages wind resources off the U.S.

coasts. Although this project is viewed as small scale (30 megawatt with five turbines), its success

could prove a viable enterprise that would generate close to five percent of America‘s electricity.

Miller said he is excited that Louisiana is a part of this history-making event. The U.S. has had time to

learn from what‘s been happening in Europe with offshore wind farms (Denmark installed the first in

1991) and in the long run, we‘ll just get better at the technology of it all, he noted.

First Offshore Wind Farm in U.S. to generate renewable power

DNR Technology Assessment

Director Paul Miller shown here

at the site of the Block Island

Wind Farm located about 15

miles off the Rhode Island coast.

Photo right: Deepwater Wind of

Providence provided photo of the

site during construction phase.

News Maker: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, with the right policies in place, the offshore wind industry

could support some 160,000 jobs in America and potentially bring power to 31 million homes annually by 2050.

CPRA and America’s Wetland Foundation call for Coastal Summit in February

The Lod Cook Alumni Center at LSU will be the venue for the upcoming Summit on the National Significance of

Louisiana‘s Coastal Master Plan set for February 16, 2017.

The Summit will be held in cooperation with several state agencies and a number of national organizations including

the Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation and America‘s Wetland

Foundation.

The focus will be on coastal restoration solutions of the state‘s coastal master plan, the urgency for financing projects,

and charting the course of actions going forward.

The 2017 Coastal Master Plan considers an array of new project ideas not modeled in the Coastal Master Plan of 2012;

these new project ideas were submitted from across the coast by stakeholders and members of the public. Also included

is a wider range of ecosystem outcomes such as additional fisheries and wildlife species for the plan.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and state legislative leaders are expected to participate in the event.

DNR on the move, in the classroom, and on topic around the state

Top: Geology is fun science for 8th graders at Morgan City Junior High in St. Mary parish. Conservation‘s Teri Tharp presented lessons on

rocks and minerals to over 200 students just before their testing began in the fall.

Top: Office of Conservation‘s Matthew Reonas spoke to students and members of the LSU chapter of Louisiana Water Environment Association

in October. The group‘s environmental engineering students were particularly interested in the state‘s groundwater and water management

issues. Conservation‘s student worker Morgan Barranco, an officer with LWEA, invited Reonas to speak and field questions. Shown are Matt

Reonas (center), Kairy Rosales, Michael Labatut, Jeanne Delaup, and Morgan Barranco.

Below: At the annual Wild Things event in Lacombe held in October, Pierre the Pelican of the New Orleans Pelicans joined Office of Coastal

Management‘s Amelia Wolfe and Josh Sylvest as they shared ecosystem, coastal, and wetland information with the kids attending.

Below: Energy Office‘s Edward O‘Brien was one of several DNR staff to visit East Baton Rouge Parish STEM classes during the month of

November. O‘Brien spoke to two 5th grade science classes on the topic of Alternative Energy sources and green energy in today‘s world.

Below: La. Clean Fuels‘s Ann Shaneyfelt helped to coordinate with MotorWeek TV film crew this fall to produce a segment on EBR School

District‘s use of propane buses in its fleet and the resulting cost savings. The story is expected to air in late December on LPB.

A Message from DNR Secretary Tom Harris

In this past year, my first as Secretary of the Department of Natural

Resources, I have been continuously amazed by the dedication and

commitment of the men and women of this agency to maintaining our

shared mission of balancing the promotion of sustainable use of the natural

resources of our state with the work of enforcing regulations that ensure that

use is carried out in a responsible manner that is protective of the

environment and the people of Louisiana.

In a time of ever-tightening budget constraints and uncertainty in the

industries we regulate, the people of this agency have shown initiative and

flexibility in responding to the emerging challenges and changes. This has

allowed DNR to uphold its responsibility to the people of Louisiana in

providing a regulatory structure that is fair, effective and provides

appropriate protections for both the public and companies seeking to do

business here.

I appreciate the work each member of the staff of DNR contributes to our

overall mission and thank you in advance for your efforts in meeting the

challenges to come.

Good Advice from Millennials about retirement— what’s your strategy? Excerpt from Fall 2016, The BEAM Membership Newsletter

DNR Office of Conservation‘s Carrie Heffron was recently featured in ―Meet the Faces

of LASERS‖ article in The BEAM newsletter along with La. State Senate Attorney

Margaret Corley, and La. House Retirement Committee Attorney Annie Smith. These

bright young women serving state government have some similar views to offer about

their careers, saving for the future, and LASERS membership.

Carrie is a professional engineer who started her career in 2012, in Conservation‘s

Drilling Permit & Reservoir Section. In her job, she is responsible for reviewing and

approving oil and gas drilling permits, managing financial aspects of the process, and

enforcing the regulations and laws of the state from initial permitting to the plugging

and abandoning of a well. As she explained to the BEAM readers, her duties include

interpreting data and working to help operators and the public to understand technical

terms as well as advising them on where to find information they need.

Heffron says she never misses an opportunity to ‗network‘ - stressing the importance for young professionals to build

relationships with new and seasoned colleagues in their respective fields. As for as preparing for the future, Heffron,

Corley and Smith all say they are contributing to a deferred compensation account which is a plan to supplement their

future LASERS retirement by saving and investing pre-tax dollars through a voluntary salary contribution. Heffron‘s

simple advice is to be fiscally responsible at a young age, and figure out your strategy in order to be prepared for an

easier retirement.

Geology and Lands Administrator named in Office of Mineral Resources Welcome to Glenn Boyd Handley, who recently joined the Office of Mineral Resource‘s executive staff as head of the

Geological and Engineering division. Handley joins DNR with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry

acquired from extensive employment abroad, having worked in Africa, Egypt and South America. Prior to coming to

the department, his private law practice was focused on Trusts, Guardianship, and Immigration law. He is a geologist

and also holds a MBA and JD degree. Handley and his wife, Carey have a son and daughter. His hobbies include

golfing and watching college football.

OMR also welcomes the newest members serving on the Mineral and Energy Board. They are Rochelle Michaud-

Dugas of Lafayette, Robert Watkins of Robert, Todd Hollenshead of Benton, and Gregory Carter of New Orleans and

Johnny Bradberry of Baton Rouge.

State government vehicles are now sporting a new bumper sticker, ―Love the Boot – Don‘t Pollute‖ which is

the state‘s first anti-litter slogan introduced by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) in September, aimed at the

prevention of littering and polluting our state‘s beautiful lands, waterways, and communities. Louisiana‘s First Lady

Donna Edwards launched the effort along with DEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown at KLB‘s annual conference held in

Baton Rouge.

Everyone should demonstrate responsible behavior if we want a LitterFree Louisiana

KLB Executive Director Susan Russell, who presented the details of

the advertising and outreach campaign, also penned a news column

published throughout the state, highlighting the importance of

combating litter in our state.

Here are some of her major points:

Litter costs La. more than $40 million a year

$7.9 million of that cost was spent by DOTD picking up trash

on state highways

Litter is an embarrassment to our state and our people: it simply

diminishes our quality of life

Citizens should focus on prevention—why not take on some

personal responsibility not to litter

Littering is illegal but unenforced laws will not produce results

Businesses should provide receptacles and people should leave

no trace of their trash after enjoying that hometown parade or at

the fishing camp

Everyone can make a difference by adopting a few responsible

behaviors

The group‘s website offers 10 Ways You Can Love the Boot-

http://keeplouisianabeautiful.org/lovetheboot/

Let‘s all get behind the campaign for this common goal. There‘s so

much we can do together to encourage change. Schools, churches,

groups, businesses and governments are joining in and making a

promise to love the boot – don‘t pollute!

A New Year ahead, slated for business in 2017 – NuBlu in Port Allen

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production is on the way in the second quarter of 2017, according to Texas-based

NuBlu Energy. It‘s natural gas liquefaction plant in Port Allen will have a startup capacity of 30,000 gallons per day,

expandable to 90,000 gallons. It also will have storage capacity of 100,000 gallons, the company said.

The plant is at 3450 S. Riverview Road, located along the Mississippi River off La. 1 north near the U.S. Railway

Terminal. The company said it hopes to jump-start the inland marine LNG market by having a supply so close to the

Mississippi River. It also will serve rail, long-haul transportation, power generation, gas interruption, asphalt and other

energy markets, the company said.

The facility will be able to load LNG transport trailers as well as containers for highway and waterborne transportation

of its product.

"Our patented process allows the production of LNG at a fraction of the cost per gallon of other existing liquefaction

technologies and our modular design allows the facilities to be deployed at a relatively low capital outlay,‖ General

Partner Cory Duck said in a statement.

By: Phyllis Darensbourg, Office of the Secretary

If you were to ask him – he would probably say without hesitation- ‗It is more blessed to give than to receive.‘ And if

you know Office of Conservation‘s Pipeline Program Manager Ronald Day, you know exactly what I mean. On any

given day, you just might be surprised about what he‘s doing off the ‗work‘ clock. He is probably one of the most civic-

minded, generous people I have the pleasure of knowing. In late October, he passed on a message that he had been a

little busy with some community friends in Claiborne parish- raising over $2 million dollars for a nurses station.

As Chairman of the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation, Ronald and the Board of the foundation announced the

completion of a new Medical Surgical Nurses Station at Claiborne Memorial Medical Center.

The station was proudly given in loving memory of William Albert and Sallie Gray of Summerfield. This project was

part of the foundation's "Critical Care...Close to Home" campaign. The first phase was the construction of a new six-bed,

state of the art Intensive Care Unit and was followed by the renovation of the hospital's cafeteria funded by employee

donations. The Claiborne Healthcare Foundation is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization created as an avenue for

community involvement, public education, and philanthropic giving for the purpose of enhancing the healthcare services

of Claiborne Memorial Medical Center.

A Cheerful Giver and Ron Day is always ready for the next new challenge

Pictured left to right: Dr. D.K. Haynes, Kristie Copeland RN,CNO, Linda Volentine -board member, Camille Abshire- board member, Sally Ann Rockhold

Martin-former board member, Chairman Ronald Day- Claiborne Healthcare

Foundation, Toni Goodin, CEO- Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, Amie Teutch RN Med-Surg Manager.

U.S. DOE selects LSU Center for Energy Studies for $1.3 million Clean Energy Project The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a $1.3 million research grant to an interdisciplinary team of scholars

headed up by the LSU Center for Energy Studies (CES). The multi-year project will examine the technical and economic

feasibility of developing a commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Louisiana's industrial corridor

between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. CCS is a technology used by industry to capture CO2 emissions produced from

the use of fossil fuels in industrial processes, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

CES Professor and Executive Director David E. Dismukes will lead a diverse and highly qualified research team

investigating this timely and important environmental and economic development opportunity for Louisiana and the Gulf

Coast.

Dismukes notes that this a unique opportunity for LSU that underscores its strengths in working with a wide range of

stakeholder groups to solve applied energy and environmental challenges for our state. The project will include active

private sector participation in order to identify large-scale industrial candidate emission sources, such as natural gas

processing or petrochemical plants, and then transporting those industrial emissions to either permanent underground

storage facilities, or using them in higher-valued energy applications such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

The main goal of the project is to define a business case model in which industrial carbon emissions can be safely and

profitably stored. According to CES, there is a large public awareness and acceptance component to the project.

For Questions, Answers, Troubleshooting, Technical Support – OCMs Jay Pecot is on Call

Hundreds of the state‘s coastal use permit applications are handled each year by the DNR Office of Coastal

Management (OCM). The Joint Permit Application (JPA) process is part of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program

(LCRP), which is an effort of our citizens, as well as state, federal and local advisory and regulatory agencies to

preserve, restore, and enhance Louisiana's valuable coastal resources through sustainable and responsible use.

OCM‘s focus in this process is to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to coastal resources when there is a justified

request or need to develop, dredge, build or other such activity in the coastal zone. And there is no individual as

committed to that purpose than Jay Pecot, OCM‘s Coastal Resources Scientist.

The public‘s helpline for all things CUP (coastal use permits) and JPA is Jay Pecot. He works with customers on a

daily bases as well as handling emergency permit requests. He encourages customers and first-timers to the system

that the CUP process is only a click-away http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?

md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=93 or a phone call away, 225-342-0884.

Pecot has a special way all his own when it comes to making regulatory and technical matters seem like a stroll in the

park, as he deals with hundreds of inquiries from the public looking to begin the application process for coastal zone

activity during the course of his work schedule. It is the office‘s

responsibility to clearly define the regulatory role which is balancing

development and conservation. Pecot knows quite well how to make

things clear, to serve as a citizen‘s advisor, and to problem-solve so

that guidelines are adhered to and projects reach completion.

The guidelines are designed so that development in the Coastal Zone

can be accomplished with the greatest benefit and the least amount of

potential impacts to coastal resources. Applications for Coastal Use

Permits are required for projects that may impact coastal waters and/or

wetlands such as any project involving dredge or fill, water control

structures, bulkheads, oil and gas facilities, marina or residential

development. The majority of permitted activity is in oil and gas

projects.

The other regulatory agencies jointly involved with OCM in permitting

are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has primary

responsibility for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of

the Rivers and Harbors Act that deals with impacts to navigable waters,

and the state‘s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Over the past years, OCM has provided the public with a number of

efficiencies in the permitting process, particularly by having general

permits for projects with limited impacts and by updating its online

application submission, processing and tracking.

Action Hero WaterMan: New educational video on groundwater protection As a complement to the educational curriculum on Baton Rouge area groundwater resources, the

Office of Conservation launched a new short video in October with sponsorship from the Baton

Rouge Area Foundation, ExxonMobil and DEQ. The WaterMan video premiered at a special

event hosted by Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Magnet Academy, where a number of the

schools‘ best and brightest students participated.

Free copies of the WaterMan DVD are available by contacting Matthew Reonas, Office of

Conservation at matthew.reonas@la.gov or by phone at (225) 342-1496. The video is also

available at http://waterwise.dnr.la.gov.